Fleet safety isn’t just a compliance issue — it’s a leadership responsibility that influences driver wellbeing, public safety, and business outcomes. At the 2025 EROAD Fleet Day, Bryan Sherritt, Manager of Transport Policy & Programs at Waikato Regional Council, reminded the audience of one sobering fact: around 25% of serious crashes in New Zealand involve someone driving for work. That statistic alone underscores why safety should be central to every Fleet Manager’s role.
So how can Fleet Managers move from managing risk to designing safety into their operations? Here are practical steps based on the safe system approach.
1. Understand the Safe System Framework
The Safe System approach isn’t new — it began in Sweden with Vision Zero in the 1990s and has since shaped road safety strategies worldwide, including in Australia and New Zealand. It acknowledges two important truths:
- People make mistakes.
- Our bodies are vulnerable to crash forces.
Instead of trying to eliminate mistakes, the safe system is designed to prevent those mistakes from becoming tragedies. It spreads responsibility across the whole transport system — road designers, policymakers, vehicle manufacturers, and importantly, fleet managers.
2. Start with Safer Vehicles
The vehicle is your first line of defence.
- Procure vehicles with high ANCAP safety ratings. Don’t compromise on crash test results or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
- Prioritise modern safety tech. Lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, fatigue monitoring, and blind-spot detection significantly reduce crash risk.
- Keep vehicles well maintained. Poorly maintained brakes or tyres can turn a near miss into a crash.
Bryan Sherritt emphasised that fleets that invested in newer vehicles and onboard safety technology saw measurable benefits, including a 20% reduction in incidents over five years.
3. Build a Culture of Safety, Not Just Compliance
Culture drives behaviour — not just policies.
- Make safety a core value. Leaders should talk about it, reward it, and be trained in it — including executives.
- Integrate safety into everyday operations. From toolbox talks to digital communication tools like a “safety first” app, normalise the conversation around risk.
- Avoid blame-based thinking. If an incident happens, ask what the system could have done better — not just what the driver did wrong.
4. Plan Smarter Routes and Schedules
Time on the road equals exposure to risk. But when and where your team drives makes a big difference.
- Avoid high-risk routes. Use telematics data to identify crash-prone areas or times of day.
- Design for rest. Build in time for breaks and recovery — especially if drivers are travelling long distances.
- Manage speed with intent. Sherritt noted that traditional speed limits are based on convenience. The Safe System approach recommends speeds based on what the human body can tolerate in a crash — especially on high-risk roads.
5. Train Drivers to Make Better Decisions
Driver training isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about helping people understand risk and manage it.
- Go beyond the basics. Defensive driving, fatigue management, and risk awareness should be part of the program.
- Make it ongoing. One-off inductions fade quickly. Consider annual refreshers or digital modules.
- Tailor it to your fleet. Heavy vehicles, utes, pool cars — each comes with different risks.
6. Use Data to Drive Safety Improvements
Data is your best ally.
- Track incidents and near misses. Use telematics and driver reports to understand where and why things go wrong.
- Audit your fleet regularly. Are vehicles up to standard? Are maintenance logs current?
- Benchmark performance. Look for trends over time and compare different teams, depots, or routes.
A real-world fleet that applied these insights — including split shifts and mandated safety training — saw a reduction in incidents and stronger stakeholder trust, as shared during Sherritt’s EROAD Fleet Day presentation.
7. Collaborate for Better Outcomes
You don’t have to do it alone.
- Partner with internal stakeholders. Work with HR, WHS teams, and procurement to embed safety into policies and processes.
- Engage external experts. Insurers, safety consultants, and government programs can help audit and improve your fleet safety.
- Connect with peers. Events like EROAD Fleet Day are a valuable opportunity to share ideas and learn from others.
Final Thought: Safety is Good for Business
Improving fleet safety isn’t just about protecting drivers — it’s also about reducing downtime, lowering insurance premiums, and building your organisation’s reputation. As Bryan Sherritt concluded:
“The Safe System isn’t just theory. It’s a practical and proven approach… Together we can drive towards safer outcomes that are good for your people, good for the community, and good for business.”
For Fleet Managers, the message is clear: lead the way on road safety. Your influence shapes the system — and saves lives.
